India replaces advanced helicopter at Gan Addu Atoll or Maldives

NEW DELHI: India on Saturday replaced an Advanced Light Helicopter
at the Gan Addu Atoll of Maldives, the Coast Guard
said. A Coast Guard Ship also entered Hitadhoo port of Maldives for
joint Exclusive Economic Zone
patrol with the Maldivian Coast Guard from
January 13-17, it tweeted.

"#CoastGuard ship also carried an Advanced Light Helicopter #CG853
onboard and disembarked it at #Gan Addu Atoll as replacement for
#CG852," the Coast Guard said.

India has given two helicopters to Maldives, one of which has been
supplied by the Coast Guard.

Last month, Maldivian President Mohamed Solih had visited India
during which the two countries resolved to deepen their maritime
cooperation.

Last year, during the tenure of the then president Abdulla Yameen,
relations between India and Maldives had deteriorated after he
imposed emergency. Following the unease in the ties, Maldives had
asked India to take back the helicopters.